KEVIN Keegan has leapt to the defence of under-fire Sir Alex Ferguson but admitted he is ready to increase the pressure on his old pal by ending United's pursuit of the Premiership.

On the eve of today's 130th Manchester derby, City boss Keegan has spoken of his admiration for Ferguson and the bond the two men have forged since meeting for the first time two decades ago.

Despite suggestions they have never seen eye-to-eye, fuelled by the infamous `I'd love it' television outburst during the race for the 1996 Premiership, Keegan maintains he and Ferguson are good friends.

But with City's position in the top-flight haunted by the spectre of relegation, Keegan is anxious to take three points from this afternoon's Eastlands Derby and leave the Reds with too much ground to make up on Arsenal.

"I get on well with him and have done ever since I first met him when I was captain of Southampton," said Keegan. "We went up to play Aberdeen to play a friendly when Fergie was just a young manager.

"I have never not got on with him. People think because of what was shown on television when I was at Newcastle that I do not like him, but that's just television showing something that is other than the norm.

"We have been friends for a very long time and when we do see each other, we tend to talk more about horse racing than we do about football. I think any criticism of Sir Alex Ferguson is way over the top.

"We are very professional and respectful of each other. If we have had anything to say, we haven't been afraid to say it.

"The last time he stitched me up, he asked to go to an event in Scotland and convinced me that it was in the Borders.

"It was only when I got to Aberdeen that I realised it was a bit further than he'd said!"

Keegan wants his players to recapture the sparkle so evident in last year's Maine Road clash and he is aware that if City produce anything short of their best, then Ferguson has the talent at his disposal to ensure the Blues are sent hurtling a step nearer to the relegation zone.

He added: "This is the first derby game at our new stadium and we have got to give it everything we have got. Manchester United are still a very good side with very good players. The team that will be successful will be the one that finds the best balance."